Rescue Operation?

I was working at the farm yesterday. Actually, I’ve worked at the farm a whole bunch of days this summer and I really need to provide an update, but that will have to wait a little longer. What I’d really like to share right now only pertains to yesterday.

It was very hot and sticky in central Ontario. Late in the day, while passing by the pool on the way to the hose for a drink, I heard “cheep……cheep…….cheep”. When I stopped and looked down I saw a little bird sitting on the pool’s solar blanket. He continued to “cheep……cheep…….cheep” as I knelt down for a closer inspection. It was a baby bird and he was stranded. The water level was about eight inches below the pool deck and the solar blanket was approximately six inches away from the pool’s edge. Not sure how he managed to get himself into such a predicament, however I knew that if I didn’t help him, he’d never get out of it. We had a chat while I slowly and carefully reached my hands towards him. I asked him if he wanted a little help. He answered, “cheep”. I told him that I realized it was a hot day, but he really shouldn’t be swimming unsupervised. He responded, “cheep’”. He was quite a social little fellow - every time I said or asked him something, he would take his turn in the conversation.

As gently as possible, I scooped him up in one hand and shielded him from falling with the other. He didn’t even flinch. The poor little baby was so tired he put his head down on my hand and closed his eyes. What an amazing feeling holding a wild creature so small and helpless in the palm of my hand! Call me crazy, but I just had to get my camera and take a couple pictures before letting him go.

As each shot was taken and my camera beeped, he would let out a little “cheep”. I found what I hoped was a safe spot for him under a tree and away from the pool. I didn’t want to take him too far away as I figured his mommy would be looking for him.

It was so hard to walk away and leave him alone. I was at the farm again today, but I didn’t have the nerve to go look for him. I can’t help wondering if I did the right thing. Left alone, he surely would have drowned in the pool. Taking him out of the pool probably only delayed his demise. On the ground he’d be an easy target. My mushy, optimistic side would like to believe that his mommy did find him and that he’s okay. I’m really much better off not knowing.

As much as I appreciate her and try to respect her, sometimes Mother Nature sucks.